Chapter 149 Broadcast

Chapter 149: The Broadcast

After dropping their daughter Yan Yan off at her maternal grandmother's house, Huang Bing Bing and Zhao Shuo had their most explosive argument since their wedding, right there in their Gubei home.

Huang Bing Bing confronted Zhao Shuo: "Why did you bring Zhao Mingshi back home?!"

"It's only been a few years—have you forgiven him that quickly?!"

"Have you forgotten that because of him, Dad had a heart attack and nearly died?!"

"Because of him, an innocent girl's life was ruined!"

"And because of him, we almost didn't end up together!"

Zhao Shuo pleaded, "He knows he was wrong. Can't we give him a chance to turn over a new leaf?"

"Bing Bing, the one who landed Dad in the hospital wasn't Ming Ming—it was me!"

"It's all my fault!"

"He did harm that girl, but now she's come and beaten him half to death. She's vented her anger—why can't we just turn the page on this?"

"Bing Bing, he's my brother!"

Huang Bing Bing retorted, "Jiang Luo is your brother!!!"

"When we got married, did Zhao Mingshi show up? It was Jiang Luo who sent the wedding gifts and money!"

"When I gave birth, and for Yan Yan's first and second birthdays, up until now, has there been a single year Jiang Luo didn't make a point to send birthday gifts?!"

"Where was Zhao Mingshi all this time?!"

Zhao Shuo sighed, "Bing Bing, can you try to understand?"

"The mix-up at birth was nobody's fault."

"Zhao Mingshi never did anything wrong to begin with."

"His only mistake was a failed relationship that drove An Qiao to attempt suicide."

"But An Qiao is doing fine now, and she's already beaten Zhao Mingshi half to death to vent her anger. Over the years, he's been alone in the U.S., fending for himself, unable to come home—he's already faced his punishment."

"He…"

Huang Bing Bing cut him off, "I'll say it again: Zhao Mingshi is not your brother, Jiang Luo is!!"

Zhao Shuo insisted, "Zhao Mingshi is! Jiang Luo is my biological brother, but he refuses to come back!"

"Whether he comes back or not is his business!"

"Ming Ming is also my brother! And as my brother, he has every right to come home!"

Huang Bing Bing stopped arguing, grabbed her bag, slammed the door, and left for her parents' house.

At the other household, Zhao Guangyuan and Su Lan did not argue.

Su Lan wouldn't—and didn't dare—argue, afraid that Zhao Guangyuan might suffer another heart attack.

Zhao Guangyuan, on the other hand, was largely unemotional.

As a member of Haicheng’s top-tier leadership, he had long known that Zhao Mingshi, who had been brought back by the authorities, had returned to Haicheng. He had remained silent and never mentioned Zhao Mingshi as his son.

In Zhao Guangyuan’s heart, Zhao Mingshi had ceased to be part of the Zhao family the moment he fled abroad.

Zhao Guangyuan simply said to Su Lan, "He's returned accomplished, not to genuinely apologize."

"The reason he's back now is that he finally feels secure enough."

"His confidence makes his kneeling seem almost justified."

"He doesn't really care about us. If he did, no matter what he was doing all these years, he would have found a way to contact the family. Did he?"

Zhao Guangyuan, being an official, had a clear perspective: "He's back, and only he knows what he truly wants."

"All I know is that, returning as a technical expert, he's unlikely to feel much remorse."

"He carries himself with pride. He's no longer the student he once was. He doesn't need parents or brothers now—he just wants everyone to see his success."

Su Lan asked, "You still won't forgive him?"

Zhao Guangyuan sighed: "It doesn't matter anymore. I raised him, and he's successful now. If there's no father-son bond, so be it."

"Right now, I just hope Jiang Luo will acknowledge me. If he's willing to call me ‘Dad’ before I die, I'll have no regrets."

Zhao Guangyuan added to Su Lan, "I know you have feelings for him after raising him for eighteen years."

"You're soft-hearted. The moment he knelt, you forgave him."

"Whether you forgive him or not is up to you. Do what you think is best."

"Just remember, Jiang Luo is our real, legitimate son."

"Your feelings for Zhao Mingshi should not, and cannot, exceed those for Jiang Luo."

On a road in Minhang, Zhao Mingshi wandered around for a while, scanning the area for surveillance cameras.

He approached a newsstand with no nearby cameras, handed the vendor a ten-yuan bill, picked up the landline phone, and stood in front of the stand to dial a number.

"Beep—beep—beep—"

The call connected. Zhao Mingshi spoke in a calm, measured tone: "Don't worry about who I am."

"There's a way to take down Jiang Luo now. Do you want to hear it?"

…

That evening, a banquet was held in Haicheng, attended by many from the political and business circles. Not only did Jiang Luo and Huo Zongzhuo attend, but even top-tier leaders like Zhao Guangyuan made an appearance.

The banquet was buffet-style, with food stations and dining tables in the hall. Guests moved freely, eating, drinking champagne, and mingling.

As soon as Jiang Luo arrived, he started chatting with others. His business was vast and thriving, and many sought to build connections with him.

He didn't even hold a champagne glass, keeping his hands in his pockets as he stood there, smiling and discussing his current ventures, industry plans, and even policy directions.

Huo Zongzhuo, Zhao Guangyuan, and others were also surrounded by crowds, exchanging pleasantries and socializing.

The hall was bustling with activity.

Amid the lively atmosphere, Jiang Luo ended up chatting with Zheng Bin and a few other young elites. Not far away, Yu Dong and Chen Xin were also seen laughing and talking with others.

Zheng Bin waited until they were alone, throwing an arm around Jiang Luo's neck, and gestured toward a direction: "See that? That asshole showed up today too."

Jiang Luo took a sip of champagne, glanced over, and spotted the asshole Zheng Bin was referring to: Wang Chaohai.

Wang Chaohai’s family was also in the pharmaceutical business and had long been at odds with Zheng Bin.

Since Zheng Bin and Jiang Luo were tight, Wang Chaohai never joined Jiang Luo’s circle like other local rich kids in Haicheng did.

He had his own crowd.

Even when hanging out with mutual acquaintances, if Jiang Luo was around or Zheng Bin was present, Wang Chaohai would steer clear—their boundaries were clearly drawn.

But over a year ago, Wang Chaohai and Jiang Luo had a falling-out.

It happened at Chairman Qiu’s youngest daughter’s birthday party, held at their new villa.

The young lady, true to her status, didn't care about personal conflicts—it was her birthday, and she invited whoever she pleased. So, both Zheng Bin and Jiang Luo were invited, along with Wang Chaohai.

And then it happened: Wang Chaohai challenged Jiang Luo at the card table—

Wang Chaohai sat down and, under everyone’s gaze, tossed out a card boldly, saying he’d play against Jiang Luo.

The rich kids immediately went wild with excitement.

Jiang Luo, smiling lazily at the time, also threw out a card and said, "One game decides it all."

Wang Chaohai matched him: "One game it is! Ten million yuan!"

He pushed his card forward.

Amid the cheers, Jiang Luo pushed his card out too and said, "I’m in. Ten million—U.S. dollars."

The atmosphere skyrocketed, with Zheng Bin and the others shouting and egging them on.

Then, Wang Chaohai lost.

What humiliated Wang Chaohai even more was that Jiang Luo didn't take his card, tossing it back with a remark: "Don't need your petty change."

Zheng Bin chimed in from the side: "Do you even have ten million in spending money? And in U.S. dollars?"

"Your parents would be lucky to give you a million a month."

Wang Chaohai was so furious he saw red.

From then on, Wang Chaohai was completely at odds with Jiang Luo, even declaring in elite circles that anyone friendly with Jiang Luo shouldn't bother with him. Jiang Luo didn't care—he never took these social circles seriously. If no one in Haicheng wanted to hang out, he had Shenzhen; he was never short of party friends.

As for other matters, like business, Wang Chaohai and he didn't cross paths. If Jiang Luo ever had pharmaceutical deals to discuss, he'd be dealing with Wang Chaohai's parents, not Wang Chaohai himself.

Jiang Luo truly didn't give Wang Chaohai a second thought.

Now, reminded by Zheng Bin and spotting Wang Chaohai, Jiang Luo took a sip of champagne and said casually to Zheng Bin, "Look at the occasion today."

"With so many leaders here, even if he wants to bet against me or flash his bank card again, I can't be bothered."

Then he slung an arm over Zheng Bin’s shoulder, "Let's go, grab something to eat."

As soon as they left, Wang Chaohai, not far away, shot a cold glare in their direction.

Elsewhere, Huo Zongzhuo and Zhao Guangyuan happened to cross paths.

After finishing their conversations with others, Zhao Guangyuan moved closer and whispered privately to Huo Zongzhuo, "How has Jiang Luo been lately?"

"Pretty good," Huo Zongzhuo replied softly.

Zhao Guangyuan smiled: "With you looking out for him, I'm quite at ease."

Just then, the music playing over the speakers was abruptly cut off by a sharp, piercing screech—deafeningly loud, grating on everyone’s eardrums and causing discomfort throughout the hall.

Everyone in the room heard it; many covered their ears.

Shortly after, the screeching stopped, and a woman’s voice rang out: "Huo Zongzhuo of Zhikun International and Jiang Luo of Shengfei Group are both gay."

"They've been involved for years, their relationship unclear and improper."

"They are gay, together for many years, exchanging benefits."

"They are gay!"

"Disgusting gays!"

The phrases repeated over and over, echoing clearly and loudly through every corner of the hall.

The room fell silent instantly.

In the crowd, Jiang Luo’s expression darkened.

The voice continued: "...both gay."

"They've been involved for years, their relationship unclear and improper."

...

Hidden among the crowd, Wang Chaohai smirked coldly to himself.

But soon, Wang Chaohai’s smile faded—the voice blaring through the hall was abruptly cut off, silenced.

The hall returned to normal, with guests chatting in small groups as if nothing had happened.

Completely contrary to Wang Chaohai’s expectations.

Wang Chaohai looked around, puzzled: Why weren't they reacting? Why weren't they shocked? Why weren't they discussing it?

He turned his head and, across the crowd, suddenly met Jiang Luo’s impassive gaze.

Wang Chaohai’s heart skipped a beat, afraid he'd been exposed. He quickly averted his eyes, pretending to carry on as usual, still bewildered: Why? Why was this happening? Why?!

Shouldn't everyone be shocked?

Shouldn't they be gossiping and criticizing?

Shouldn't they?!

Why was this happening?!

Meanwhile, Xue Zhizhong rushed with his team to the equipment room next to the banquet hall. As soon as he entered, he slapped the hotel manager across the face: "Do you know what kind of occasion this is?!"

"How could you mismanage the sound system like this?!"

"Who?! Who's yelling that crap over there?! Looking to die!?"

At a glance, there was a microphone on the table, and next to it lay a portable CD player that had already stopped playing.

The hotel manager, cupping his cheek, said it was that CD player that had broadcast those words earlier, and no one knew who was responsible.

Xue Zhizhong went over, picked up the CD player, and after a glance, was so pissed he almost slammed it on the ground. He restrained himself, holding the CD player in one hand while raising the other, pointing at the manager: "You fucking asshole, just wait—I'll deal with you later!"

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Author's note: Just letting everyone know, this book is wrapping up—just a few more plot points until the end.

Also promoting my new story next door—"Dude, But Getting Pampered Hard"—an age-gap sweet romance, super fluffy.